administration and will ensure the service has what it needs to successful conduct its missions. the legislation includes critical provisions that will have the coast guard and its service members greater parity with the counterparts in the department of defense, something we've worked very hard to achieve. h.r. 2838 has reforms and improvements to the coast guard's acquisition programs and activities. the bill encourages job growth in the maritime sector by cutting e.p.a., t.s.a. and coast guard regulatory burdens on small businesses. finally, the bill enhances the security of u.s. vessels and cruise transiting high-risk waters, re-authorizes the national security aspects of the maritime administration for fiscal year 2013, and makes several important improvements to noaa's marine debris program, as noted by mr. larsen. h.r. 2838 was put together in cooperation with the minority and with our counterparts in the senate. i'd like to thank mr. mica, chairman of the full committee, i'd like to thank mr. rahall, the ranking member of the full committee, but i especially want to thank